Department Overview Comparative literature (CMPL) is the study of literature, theory, and criticism across the boundaries of language, nation, culture, artistic medium, genre, and historical period. Faculty in Oberlin’s program are drawn from the humanities, arts, and social sciences.

The curriculum emphasizes these important areas of the discipline:Literary TheoryEast-West StudiesTranslationComparative literature enables students to integrate their studies in more than one discipline at once. Because the major requires a combination of depth, breadth, and creativity, students consult with advisors to create individualized curricular pathways that match their specific interests, demonstrate advanced proficiency in at least one other language besides English, and culminate in a capstone or honors project.

Program alumni have attended top graduate programs, received numerous Fulbrights and other fellowships, and gone on to successful careers in such fields as academia, journalism, film, nonprofit organizations, publishing, libraries, the arts, and teaching at all levels Why study BA English & Comparative Literature at Goldsmiths? You'll develop an understanding of the depth and breadth of literature, and will be able to practise the skills needed for a confident and effective reading of literary and non-literary texts; The degree is flexible, allowing you to specialise in the areas that interest .

Curriculum OverviewComparative literature offers coursework for the major and minor. Students with an interest in the discipline should consult early on with their advisor and the program director to define an individual area of emphasis or inquiry. Majors are able to shape their course of study from a wide range of possible material.

Because many different programs and departments contribute courses for the major and minor, advising plays an especially important role in student planning. Be sure to talk with the program director and or department staff if you are interested in this field of study. You may also use our planning sheet to assist in this process.

Students must take at least one 400-level course in a foreign language taught in the original language such as French, Spanish, or Russian. For the following four languages, the required level is 300: Greek, Latin, Chinese, or Japanese. Several courses presented for the major might focus on a specific period or movement (the Renaissance, modernism, surrealism), a genre (tragedy, lyric poetry), a problem (literature and the other arts, translation) or an approach (feminism, post-structuralism).

Outside of the classroom, majors and others may attend our Translation Symposium and Lecture that brings in prominent comparatists to share their works and observations. Guest lecturers are also available to assist you in your study of a wide variety of literary works and learn about challenging, contemporary issues.

We encourage students to study abroad for a semester or a year in one of the many Oberlin-affiliated programs In order to be persuasive as comparative literary-critical writing in this way, the three key areas named in the Faculty marking criteria – understanding, depth of and to get a better sense of what the College's generic criteria might look like in the concrete case of written coursework in the discipline of Comparative Literature, .

Study abroad will enhance your understanding of literature as it relates to language and culture.